Stage Villains set to get adrenaline pumping on local stages this fall

Be prepared to be haunted by beautiful music brought to life by legendary performers this October.

Just in time for Halloween, the Broadway Concert Series is again bringing top musical talent to stages in Brockville and Kingston. On the heels of successful spring shows at the Brockville Arts Centre and Kingston’s Grand Theatre, producer Todd Noel is now engaging audiences with a show devoted to Stage Villains. It will see singers take on music ranging from Phantom of the Opera to Little Shop of Horrors.

Set for Oct. 27 in Brockville and Oct. 28 in Kingston, Noel said this concert is packed with villains and their soul-torn victims – in fact the entire second act is comprised of music from only the Phantom of the Opera, while the first act dabbles with Sweeney Todd, Jekyll & Hyde, Oliver, Wicked, Dracula and more.

“It's the perfect show for Halloween,” he said. “The show has a balance of scary, funny and moving songs.”

The Broadway Concert Series marries talent with visually-stunning graphics that enhance audience emotion while connecting to the music. Noel, who hails from Brockville, is drawing on friendships forged during years of performing in world-class productions to bring big talent to Brockville and Kingston stages. The idea behind the concert series is to attract top performers into smaller markets, Noel said.

In fact, Noel himself has such credits as performing in the original production of Cats in Toronto, as well as in Les Misérables, and he was even the understudy for Colm Wilkinson in Toronto’s Phantom of the Opera. He also performed in Showboat in Toronto and has entertained on cruise ships for six years before arriving back in the Brockville 1,000 Islands area and inspiring youth with theatre camps and lessons.

Bringing the Stage Villains theme to life on stage is an impressive grouping of high-calibre singers and performers. For October’s show, the Broadway Concert Series is welcoming Gay Willis, who played Christine in Phantom of the Opera in Toronto, as well as on the Canadian Tour. Noel said she is a special singer, who received rave reviews from critics worldwide singing with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman in the world tour of The Music of the Night.

Willis, who is based in the United States, has been to the 1,000 Islands area previously as a guest at Noel’s summer theatre camp. She said she is looking forward to returning to add her voice to the show, speaking highly of singing in Canada because she said the audiences are supportive of the arts.

Willis said the timing and song choices are perfect for the latest offering from the Broadway Concert Series. “The emotions run so high with the villainous Phantom lurking about,” she said. “It’s so ideal for a stage villains theme concert – and the dates are so close to Halloween, which makes the timing delicious.”

David Silvestri is also looking forward to singing the part of the Phantom in the star-studded show. Silvestri’s past credits include roles in the Mirvish productions of Kinky Boots and Les Misérables - and many more. Not only is he anticipating the talent of fellow singers, but also the intimate setting for the shows and the appreciative audiences. “Being able to sing timeless music is a wonderful opportunity,” he said. “In smaller settings, you can really connect with the audience.”

Silvestri said the October concert series shows will be exceptional, noting that they’re taking on personal meaning for him. “I’ve been in shows and concerts and looked up to these people with admiration,” he said of the talent coming to Eastern Ontario for the series. “Now that I’m sharing the stage with them, it’s humbling and makes me respect them even more.”

Noel agrees, saying the level of talent is awe-inspiring. “It’s an incredible opportunity for Kingston and Brockville to have such highly-celebrated singers just minutes away from home,” he said.

Also performing is Jeff Madden, who played Frankie Valli in the cast of Toronto’s Jersey Boys and was awarded a DORA for outstanding performer in a musical; baritone James Levesque; DORA award-winner Gabi Epstein and many more. The show also features a live orchestra with violins, cello, French horn and grand piano. Arranger, Craig Fair, will conduct the show.